An interplanetary romance, a desperate need, and a growing empire ruled by a Martian empress. What could go wrong?

Nasir Al-Selene, son of Lunar Envoys and Beulah Gresham, daughter of a prominent Texas family, are given the mission of securing desperately needed liftwood from the Martian Empire. Juan Castillo accompanies them to provide adult supervision. None of them can imagine what they will find on Mars.

Can they convince the Martians to part with the precious liftwood that is so difficult to grow and so hard to process? Will their cargo of leukos crystals be convincing enough to trade, or merely tempting enough to seize? What will happen when old friends have become movers and shakers on an alien planet? What is the deal with that ancient base in the desert? And what evil will be disturbed when the Martians get that much energy?

“Is that the Elvish Empress?”
– Beulah Gresham